SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC PRESENTED BY ACER

October 2, 2021

Inbee Park

Seaview, A Dolce Hotel

Quick Quotes

Q. We're joined by Inbee Park after a second round 65. Inbee, only one blemish on the scorecard. A solid day again in maybe the toughest conditions with the wind. How did you manage those challenges today?

INBEE PARK: Yeah, it was a little bit more windier out there, but the weather was a bit warmer than yesterday morning a little less later on.

So striking the ball a little bit better than yesterday. Obviously I'm very good putting the last couple days and today as well. Holed some really, really good putts. I think that's what we need on this golf course, and I have been doing that.

I mean, bogey-free would've been nice, but just one bogey on No. 8. The downwind, just hit it over the green, so didn't get up and down.

Q. You said you holed a lot of putts. Was there any specific putts that you made today like you did yesterday? You had a couple 20-footers and I think a 30-footer.

INBEE PARK: Yeah, I think Nos. 6 and 7. No. 6 was about like 30-footer, and No. 7 was not long, but it was a good coming-back par putt. I almost three-putted that green, but holed about six-, seven-footer coming back.

You don't want to leave yourself six-, seven-footer coming back for par, but when you save it feels really good.

Q. You've been in this position many times in your career. Talked about your putting this week. From your recollection, do you feel this is one of your better putting weeks in recent memory?

INBEE PARK: Yeah, I think it is. I remember putting good in Kia and then earlier in the season, and then middle of the season to the end of the season not as good.

I feel like this week is almost back to like where I was been putting really good earlier in the season, so feels good.

Q. Jin Young is No. 1 in the world; you're No. 2. You're tied for lead. It's kind of worked out the way it was supposed to. What are your thoughts of you two being in the final group tomorrow and all that entails?

INBEE PARK: Well, I think Jin Young is really, really good player, too, so I think it'll be really fun out there tomorrow playing with her.

Obviously you need some birdies out here to win tomorrow. Knowing that No. 2 player in the world is hunting for the same thing I am hunting for, definitely need to put some good performance.

So, yeah, good motivation to play for, and I think I'm going to have fun.

Q. Do you just get in the groove with putting? Does it feel differently this week?

INBEE PARK: I think this week my putting speed is really, really good. You know, when I'm trying to not kill the putts on these greens, because greens are quick and you don't want a five-footer coming back.

You know, that's been my main focus, trying to get the speed right. When I got speed right, I got the line right as well, so...

Q. You're four shy away from Se Ri Pak on the Korean wins list in LPGA history. Could have three tomorrow. Is that something, that win total that Se Ri set, is that something in the back of your mind at this stage of your career?

INBEE PARK: Not really. I never really looked at that number. I'm sure and I hope that there will be players, Korean players going over that number, over my number, over Se Ri's number. I wish a lot of great Korean players keep coming and maybe beat the record of mine, Se Ri's, everybody's.

I think I'll be glad to see a lot of players do that.

Q. Obviously Mike mentioned one of those players, Jin Young Ko potentially with the pace she's on in her LPGA career. Is there a certain amount of respect among especially the Korean players, and is there also kind of a competitiveness when you go up against each other like you will tomorrow?

INBEE PARK: Yeah, there is definitely a respect and there is competitiveness both for sure. When we play with each other we seem to inspire each other as well.

It's great to play with a great player in the final round hunting for the trophy. I think that's really the fun part.